How to Play a Bb9 Chord on Ukulele

The ukulele is a unique instrument. It is made in Standard, Concert, Tenor and Baritone types, the most popular being the Standard, or the smallest ukulele. The Standard, Tenor and Concert ukulele all have a higher-pitched sound and share the same tuning method. The Baritone ukulele has the lowest sound, largest body and is tuned differently. The Bb9 chord is most commonly played in the key of Bb. When playing in the key of Bb, the Bb9 will usually follow the Bb chord.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Hold the body of the ukulele with the right arm over the front and the right hand underneath the body. With the left hand, hold the neck of the ukulele near the "nut," or string spacer, located near the tuning keys. Keep the neck between the left index finger and left thumb with the thumb directly behind the first bar.

2. Place the tip of the left index finger on the "G," or top, string on the first bar between the string spacer and the first fret. With the same finger, also hold down the "C" and "E" strings between the string spacer and first fret. Keep the left index finger between the fret and string spacer without touching them.

3. Hold down the "C" string with the tip of the left middle finger on the second bar between the first and second frets.

4. Using the tip of the left ring finger, hold down the "A," or bottom, string on the third bar between the second and third frets.

5. 
   Bb9

   Press down firmly on all of the assigned strings while holding the left thumb against the back of the ukulele neck directly behind the first bar. With the right hand, gently strum all of the strings over the center of the ukulele body to hear the Bb9 chord.

Tips & Warnings

• To tune a Concert, Standard or Tenor ukulele, the strings should be tuned "G," "C," "E" and "A," from top to bottom.
• Frets are the metal strips along the neck of the ukulele that are used to separate the bars.
• The string spacer is used to separate the strings and is sometimes referred to as the "nut."
• Keeping the left index finger on the bar without touching the frets will help to produce a clear sound.